Kane deal is ‘impossible’, says Guardiola

Robin Bairner

7 Jul 2021 09:38 BST
3 min read

Why Tottenham should cut their losses and sell Harry Kane this summer — © ProShots

Harry Kane will not be moving to Manchester City this summer, according to Pep Guardiola, who says his club cannot afford a replacement for Sergio Aguero.

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Guardiola claims that the asking price for Tottenham forward Kane and other forwards that Man City may be interested in is simply too great.

The Premier League champions have already made a £100 million bid for Kane and are willing to include players in any deal, but the expectation is that any deal will be knocked back by Spurs, where the England captain is under contract until 2024.

Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in the forward, and Guardiola has left the door open to them to move for Kane.

“At the prices quoted, we are not going to buy any strikers. It is impossible, we cannot afford it,” Guardiola told TV3.

“All clubs are struggling financially, we are not an exception. We have Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres who have been incredible in this position.

There is more of a chance that we aren't going to buy a striker for next season.

- Pep Guardiola

“We have young players in the academy and we play many times with a false nine. There is more of a chance that we aren't going to buy a striker for next season.

“We'll do whatever we can do in the transfer window and if we can't, we'll still have the squad that has won the league three times in four years and reached the Champions League final.”

Why Man City do not need Kane

Man City dominate PSG as Guardiola shows why he doesn’t need an Aguero replacement — © ProShots

Indeed, Man City’s success both domestically and in Europe last season means that they are under no compulsion to add to their ranks this summer.

Aguero was little more than a bit-part player for them due to injury and illness, and as such, his loss will not be keenly felt.

Despite this, Guardiola’s side still won the league with some to spare and reached the Champions League final. Little wonder, then, they will not be held to ransom over transfer fees at a complicate point in time financially – even if the manager is likely overplaying the impact the pandemic has had on the club’s Dubai owners.

Meanwhile, Man City will be monitoring Kylian Mbappe’s situation at Paris Saint-Germain with interest, as the France international forward could be available on a free transfer next summer.

Man City and Guardiola will also be keeping a close eye on Lionel Messi’s situation at Barcelona, with the Argentina international star technically a free agent presently as he is not under contract to anyone.